Matt Johnson - NFL Draft

[Redwingtom]

I'm always reminded of Gradkowski every time I consider whether Matt can play in the NFL. Pretty sure Matt has a better arm and is every bit as smart and a great leader. Bruce may have been faster. But he never had much of an arm...certainly not what Matt has. Bruce has managed to have a decent NFL career and make some nice coin...of course he got really lucky in a few places to have the #1 guy go down.

It's all about getting that chance!

[apollo]

I don't think he's going to be any taller in a P5 conference....

haha, made me laugh out loud

Nope....not any taller, but maybe he gets more reps and improves his accuracy or his pocket presence (which is question mark as well). He's pretty much accomplished what he can at this level. I'm not sure if any Big 10 or Big 12 schools need a QB or where he'd be a fit, but it'd be worth looking into. Otherwise stay here and keep playing....why be in a rush to go undrafted?

[fredthefalcon]

Unless Matt impresses at BG's pro day, I don't see him really having much of a chance of getting drafted, let alone playing in the NFL. I'm sure someone will sign him as an UDFA and invite him to rookie camp to see what he can do, but outside of that unfortunately I think his ceiling is rather limited at the next level.

I like to use the cbssports rankings though it still may be early. Matt is something like 26th ranked QB and is projected as not drafted. Here is the link.

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/pros ... gs/2016/QB" target="_blank

He still could move up the ranks with good performance in the bowl and at combine/pro day but at best it looks like it would be as a FA.

[Globetrotter]

I would be more surprised he got drafted then became a starter in the NFL. The draft is for guys who perfectly fit systems. If he is talented enough, his smarts will keep him on a practice squad, injuries will get him to a roster and on the field.

[98_BG_GRAD]

I'm always reminded of Gradkowski every time I consider whether Matt can play in the NFL. Pretty sure Matt has a better arm and is every bit as smart and a great leader. Bruce may have been faster. But he never had much of an arm...certainly not what Matt has. Bruce has managed to have a decent NFL career and make some nice coin...of course he got really lucky in a few places to have the #1 guy go down.

It's all about getting that chance!

I think this is a great comparison and one I was thinking about when reading these comments. While Gradkowski was a great college QB, Matt Johnson has been better. It's not like UT had some difficult, NFL-type offense back then and Gradkowski had Lance Moore for two years so like Johnson, he had a great receiver to throw to. Johnson has a better arm than Gradkowski and is every bit as accurate. And Gradkowski isn't exactly a giant, he is only 6'1".

I think Matt Johnson has a great chance to have an NFL career. May not be a starter and probably won't end up in the Hall of Fame but he could be a very valuable back-up for a team. It will all depend on how well he grasps the NFL playbook. That is why Omar Jacobs never made it and why guys like Gradkowski can stick around. for so long. His brains and leadership, if nothing else, should get him a shot.

[jpfalcon09]

I'm always reminded of Gradkowski every time I consider whether Matt can play in the NFL. Pretty sure Matt has a better arm and is every bit as smart and a great leader. Bruce may have been faster. But he never had much of an arm...certainly not what Matt has. Bruce has managed to have a decent NFL career and make some nice coin...of course he got really lucky in a few places to have the #1 guy go down.

It's all about getting that chance!

I think this is a great comparison and one I was thinking about when reading these comments. While Gradkowski was a great college QB, Matt Johnson has been better. It's not like UT had some difficult, NFL-type offense back then and Gradkowski had Lance Moore for two years so like Johnson, he had a great receiver to throw to. Johnson has a better arm than Gradkowski and is every bit as accurate. And Gradkowski isn't exactly a giant, he is only 6'1".

I think Matt Johnson has a great chance to have an NFL career. May not be a starter and probably won't end up in the Hall of Fame but he could be a very valuable back-up for a team. It will all depend on how well he grasps the NFL playbook. That is why Omar Jacobs never made it and why guys like Gradkowski can stick around. for so long. His brains and leadership, if nothing else, should get him a shot.

The thing Johnson will need to prove is his ability to read defenses, move the pocket and know when to get rid of the ball, even if it means throwing it away. I feel like this year he got caught too many times not doing the latter two of those. He also made some curious decisions later in the season with the interceptions he threw against WMU and NIU in which guys jumped routes after they went to the well too many times. I hope he can succeed and I think this year's QB class is weak enough for him to move up. He went toe-to-toe with Paxton Lynch who many are ga-ga over.

[apollo]

Gradkowski was significantly more athletic and much more accurate than Johnson....not much of a comparison.

[factman]

Do NOT agree!

[Redwingtom]

Gradkowski was significantly more athletic and much more accurate than Johnson....not much of a comparison.

Much more accurate? Not a chance. Bruce had a career 68.2% completion percentage and his highest season QB rating was 162.6. Matt had a career 66.1% completion percentage and his QB rating was 166.1 this year. And Toledo didn't throw deep all that much either. They threw a ton of bubble screens back then and also threw a lot to their TE's.

And don't forget Johnson's 2013 season. He was pretty darned good in a much more standard type of offense under Clawson compared to the offense ran under Babers.

[apollo]

Gradkowski was significantly more athletic and much more accurate than Johnson....not much of a comparison.

Much more accurate? Not a chance. Bruce had a career 68.2% completion percentage and his highest season QB rating was 162.6. Matt had a career 66.1% completion percentage and his QB rating was 166.1 this year. And Toledo didn't throw deep all that much either. They threw a ton of bubble screens back then and also threw a lot to their TE's.

And don't forget Johnson's 2013 season. He was pretty darned good in a much more standard type of offense under Clawson compared to the offense ran under Babers.

Sorry but you're wrong....Trying to compare the numbers from 15-20yrs ago isn't going to work....game is completely different. Johnson would get exposed in a preseason NFL game, much less a regular season one. I'm not even talking about the deep ball. The 5-7 yd routes on slants and outs, he doesn't have the precision. On top of that when the pocket collapses and you have to move up or over, he really struggles to slide and throw a good ball. Gradkowski could make those plays and make those throws. If I'm wrong so be it he'll get drafted and spend some time in the league.

Here's the thing too....his numbers are too good to completely ignore. Which means all the draft experts at least took the time to watch the tape and evaluate him. If those people thought he was a prospect, you'd know.

[jg4242]

The thing that pro scouts will like about MJ is his ability to be successful in different systems. He learns quickly, and has proven effective in both our current offense and in Clawson's pro-style offense. He threw for 25 TDs with a 64.2% completion rate and a QBR of 161.7 in 2013, when our offense was decidedly QB-unfriendly.

And let's remember that there are successful NFL quarterbacks who are relatively short. Drew Brees, Russell Wilson, and Troy Smith come to mind. If I had to choose between MJ and a Hackenburg or Rudock, I'd give Johnson a really hard look.

[Dayons_Den]

I'd like to see him get a shot. Also interested to see how Jordan Lynch's time in CFL helps his NFL appeal, could be good route for Matt too. But I think Matts a better QB rather than dual threatcc